[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by Score04

Still lost. If can answer directly that'd be great.

I think the Costco box of washer fluid is 4 gallons of the stuff.

[IAmSpeed]

Originally Posted by Score04

Still lost. If can answer directly that'd be great.

https://www.costcobusinesscentre.ca/...100282295.html
Like this, anything from Costco with 4-6 packs.

[Dandle]

I use autoglym screen wash it stops the wipers smearing and needing replacing so quickly, not sure if it's available in the US.
I bought rainex for the X3 and ever put it in after reading about blocked wiper pumps. I took it to work and it didn't get used for a few months, after that time the 5l bottle had white silicon congealed and floating in the solution.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Score04

Still lost. If can answer directly that'd be great.

Either a troll or....

In any case, a box of 4 jugs of washer fluid....

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Score04

…I do appreciate this rain x explanation and issue. Any specific brand you can recommend?

My recommendation is the same as BMW’s…and that is to use a PH-neutral solution. I’ve always used the plain blue washer fluid that has nothing else extra added…which you can pick up at Walmart. And there’s obviously nothing wrong with the BMW fluids if you want to pay that amount and do the dilution mix if you buy the concentrate.

Watch out for washer fluid that contains silcone because it has a negative reaction with the capacitive level sensor.

[HeatJoey]

Um… my light came on today asking for washer fluid, I just added some water lol. Isn’t that even safer? I’ve put water in every one of my cars over 30 years and never a problem although I hope on this car it’s ok after reading this never thought I had to get special OEM fluid lol.

What about some Simple windex diluted a bit with water? If the fluid is too strong it’ll dry all messed up so I would think more water than anything?

[OldAviatorGOARMY]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

Apply some ceramic detail spray on the windscreen, it will bead water and your wiper blades will glide across the glass because of reduced friction.

I was just going to say that! I love how a good quick detailer on the whole car, including windows, just beads the water right off!

[cutnsew]

Originally Posted by Iamthespeed

https://www.costcobusinesscentre.ca/...100282295.html
Like this, anything from Costco with 4-6 packs.

It has isopropyl alcohol in it. If you ceramic coat your windshield this can make it “hazy” until completely cleaned off as it will partially undo the ceramic coating. If you use the quick spray and wipe ceramic coat the effect may not be as pronounced

[Q1968]

If I use Rain-X windshield treatment (not the washer fluid, the liquid you apply directly to the windshield), will the BMW or similar washer fluid (containing methanol for freeze protection) break it down? That has always been the big advantage of the Rain-X washer fluid for me- it actually refreshes the coating so you don't have to reapply as often. I hate driving in rain without Rain-X on the windshield; it's great having the water bead up and roll off with no need for the wipers.

I would note that FCA also warns about using washer fluids containing silicone, and many users on the Ram forums report reservoir sensor failures from using various Rain-X fluids. I have used the orange Rain-X 2-in-1 washer fluid for years in my 2015 Ram 1500 with no adverse effects, so I don't know if the concern is overblown or I have just been lucky.

[Radar314]

I got into problems by using a generic blue stuff, summer only blend. I figured since I am in a yearly warm climate that was OK. The problem is with no chemical in it that stops freezing, it grew some kind of algae gunk. Had it cleaned out and went back to BMW stuff.

[Skulls06]

I was trying to get BMW Windshield washer fluid part : 83192221702 from my dealership but they don’t have it here in Canada.

[HeatJoey]

I'm not sure I understand why all the hassle, risk and cost ....can't we just put water in there?

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by HeatJoey

I'm not sure I understand why all the hassle, risk and cost ....can't we just put water in there?

I would never use plain water, especially in the humid environment of Florida. you're just asking for mold and bacteria to grow in there. Aside from it freezing outside of the sunbelt, it doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Do you use water when you clean your windows or do you use windex?

[Q1968]

Originally Posted by HeatJoey

I'm not sure I understand why all the hassle, risk and cost ....can't we just put water in there?

Not if you live or travel far enough north to experience freezing temperatures in winter.

[HeatJoey]

fair points i guess.. i don't ever see anything below 50 degrees so freezing isn't an issue and water cleans just fine... never thought about mold and mildew issues and it's never been an issue in the past cars, I've been driving in Florida for 30 years ... about 25k/year... but if the Bimmer is different or has potential pump issues, I'll give it a shot

so you're saying they recommend no water mixed in at all? it's all 100% this cleaning fluid?

[HeatJoey]

anyone got a link to order this online by chance or the part number?

[HeatJoey]

well the manual says it is a mixture with tap water so water can't be that bad.. I added water but there was still some washer fluid so it's a mix as recommended, at least this time. it also doesn't say any specific fluid is needed, it just says windshield washer concentrate, is that really any different than some type of windex?

"General information
All windshield washer jets are supplied from
one tank.
Use a mixture of tap water and windshield
washer concentrate."

[Jrock645]

Originally Posted by HeatJoey

anyone got a link to order this online by chance or the part number?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...te-83192221702

I just ordered from here.

Glad I read this thread. I bought some standard washer fluid the other day as I realized I didn't have any laying around since I moved recently. Now I know not to use it.

[abbike18]

Have been using rain-x orange for years. Had issues in my 2015 e84 X1 35i with mold. Haven't had any issues in my G01 X3 M40i, but that car is ceramic coated, so there's no point in using the rain-x and risking it. Just emptied the reservoir today and switched to some standard blue stuff.

[spangle1980]

All this talk of washer fluid, and I searched the thread for flies/fly/bug. Nada.

Is no-one talking about what stuff can clear one's screens of that pesky shit that flies leave when splatted?

I use a supermarket brand from UK (Tesco) and it's bloody useless. If there is a goto brand for something cleaning that smear I'd be interested.

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by spangle1980

All this talk of washer fluid, and I searched the thread for flies/fly/bug. Nada.

Is no-one talking about what stuff can clear one's screens of that pesky shit that flies leave when splatted?

I use a supermarket brand from UK (Tesco) and it's bloody useless. If there is a goto brand for something cleaning that smear I'd be interested.

If you’re bothered about flies/bugs then why don’t you use a 3rd party product to clean the windscreen separately. That’s what I do, I use a spray on citrus cleaner to clean the windscreen (flies/bugs or those hard to remove items) but use a BMW screen wash for regular use and that is what is used internally within the screen wash tank.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by Keefy

If you’re bothered about flies/bugs then why don’t you use a 3rd party product to clean the windscreen separately. That’s what I do, I use a spray on citrus cleaner to clean the windscreen (flies/bugs or those hard to remove items) but use a BMW screen wash for regular use and that is what is used internally within the screen wash tank.

Yeah - do that, but on long journeys wondered if there was any miracle juice for mid-flight.